Originally Posted by
acmi76
If you my friend have the time you say you have, I would go to a place where the future is more secure and better and where the pilot group is valued and respected. Because the brief period of 1 yr I was here at Via, the best thing that happened to me was I made some good friends on the line and got a free EMB-145 type rating out of it. I had some previous 121 time so I left as I got hired by a cargo operator on a widebody equipment and am thankful and feel blessed as I left this place quick for a better and career oriented company. I have friends who work at airports where this airline served and even when I flew there, they're reputation was not the brightest and was not seen in any positive way because of their performance and poor equipment which had maintenance issues all the time. That is why they lost the flying and were shown the door in some EAS communities and the people there today are much more satisfied and happy with the exit of Via. The pilot group is ok , but the management well, you can just laugh and clap at their fantasy and dream of this place overtaking and competing with the likes of legacy and major airlines one day.
Anyhow, its a dream and will only stay a dream based on how this place works unless they change their thinking and mindset drastically. With the experience you have, my best advice to you is by applying to this place, your only selling yourself SHORT and with the experience you have, you definitely deserve better. Good luck to you my friend in whatever you decide.
I'd LOVE to know what current pilots think about the above. It seems like management is trying to right the ship, but still seems to have "small airline mentality" in some of the operations (I'm still an outsider, so I must admit, I really dont know). Pay is at or above most regionals, but it seems like they are trying to attract pilots that have good experience . . so that makes pay a little low to me. Folks in our class ranged from 1,700 TT (military, and a e145 type in hand) to a 20,000 plus heavy pilot. I felt I was "lower" with 3,300 hours (FO).
Seems like most folks in the company that I have talked to feel like this is a stepping stone job, and "if" via makes then, than GREAT. . . if not . .well, they wont be surprised. Unless an amazing opportunity shows up, I'm here for a bit, mostly because my QOL should be through the roof good, but I live at a base.